Snow scooter



F. A. wl-:TZELI Jam 30, 1934.

Filed Jan. 26. 1931 A gc.

.Lio

Patented Jan. 30, 1934 UNITED STATES `1,945,170 `SNOW SCOOTER Frank A. Wetzel, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Application January 26, 1931. Serial No. 511,316

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in scooters and more particularly to what will be hereinafter known as a snow scooter.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a scooter of the above type which is so constructed that it may be readily used on comparatively deep snow, hard, frozen snow, or an icy surface and can be easily propelled through the medium of the party using the same.

-Another' object of the present invention is the provision of a snow scooter of the above character which includes a supporting runner having a movable guide runner at the front thereof operated through the medium of a steering post which is readily accessible to a person standing on the runner, the operation of the scooter being carried out by a person placing one foot on the runner and using the other foot for engaging the snow or surface to propel the scooter forwardly.

vA furtherobject of the present invention is the provision of a novel type of snow scooter which* includes a comparatively wide runner having shoes on the bottom surface thereof -whereby the device can be used in comparatively soft or deep snow with the runner acting in the form of a toboggan or ski-like member while using the device on a hard or icy surface, so that the device can be propelled forwardly at a comparatively rapid rate.

:With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out inthe claim and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

.Figure 1 is a perspective view of a snow scooter constructed in accordance with my invention;

.Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Y Referring more particularly to the drawing, attention is directed to the fact that the body 1 of the device comprises a base member of ski-like form which provides the main portion of the scooter. This base member 1 is of substantial width and has attached to its upper face a plate 2 to which may be attached a corrugated rubber or composition mat 3 to provide a suitable foot rest for one foot of the operator, the corrugated f surface being provided for the purpose of preventing slippage of the foot on the base member as much as possible.

It will be noted that the forward end of the base member 1 is curved upwardly as shown at 4 and attached to each side of the base 1 at (Cl. 28o-23) bearing collar 7 which has an annular flange 8 adapted to engage the upper face of the bearing block 6.

The front runner 9 is of a solid piece and has an upwardly cui'ved forward end portion 10 so that this steering runner may readily pass through loose snow and be guided over comparatively rough and uneven surfaces. The steering runner 9 is provided with a shoe 11, the outer edge of which is comparatively sharp, while the body of the shoe is curved upwardly over the board 10, as shown at 12, and this forwardly curved end is integrally connected with a substantially inverted V-shaped yoke 13, the other end of which is attached to a plate 14 which is secured to the upper face of the steering runner 9 at the inner end thereof. It will be apparent from the foregoing that the metal strap which is used to form the shoe 11 can be continued onto the top of the runner 9 and form a connecting member to which the base member 1 can be loosely attached.

The base member 1 has attached to the lower face thereof, spaced shoes 15 having rounded engaging surfaces as illustrated, with their rear ends bent over onto the upper face of the base surface for the base when the device is being propelled over comparatively hard or icy surfaces.

A steering post 18 is provided, the lower end of which carries a yoke 19 having its ends arranged upon opposite sides of the intermediate portion of the V-shaped member 13 and bolted or otherwise attached thereto. The bearing collar |'I which is carried by the block 6 provides a suitable bearing for the post 18, so that the steering post may be readily rotated for guiding the runner 9. The upper end of the steering post 18 is provided with handle members 20 which are properly positioned above the base member 1 so that when the operators foot is placed upon the mat 3, he can readily grasp the handles 2G for actuating the steering runner.

In using this improved type of snow scooter, the operator places one of his feet uponl the mat or pad 3, while the other foot can be used for engaging the surface over which the device is travelling to propel the scooter forwardly over the Y snow, and as the scooter is propelled forwardly,

the operator can readily steer the Vsame through turning'movement of the steering post 18 which will readily guide the steering runner 9. Y

This type of scooter will not only be ofy con siderable benefit as an exercising device, but will prove to be a very useful and attractive toy for children'during the winter months, particularly where snow and ice are available. v Y

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent from the foregoing that slight changes may be made in the construction when putting the invention into practice Vwithout departing from the spirit of the same or the scope -of the appended claim.

I claim:

A snow scooter comprising a pair of spaced parallel longitudinally extending runner irons, an elongated relatively wide runner board having flat upper and lower faces carried by the upper edges of the runner irons and extending the full length thereof, the runner irons being adapted to engage hard surfaces and the lower face of the runner board being adapted to engage soft surfaces, the forward end of the runner board and the forward ends of the runner irons being turned upwardly, forwardly and upwardly projecting spaced frame bars carried by the front end of the runner board, a steering runner of less width than the rst mentioned runner rotatably carried by thefrarne bars, and means for turning said steering runner the upper curved endX of the runner board terminating short of the front ends of the spaced frame bars, whereby to leave an opening above the runner board for the passage of snow and thereby prevent crowdingand packing kof snow in fIQnt of said runner board. i'

' FRANK A. WETZEL. 

